Fliers

Sometime's It's Lonely At the Top and Sometime's It Is Peaceful

February 10, 2016 I believe that this Gull was in his/her peaceful state at the top of the Evergreen tree. Perhaps lonely, but I think not, just enjoying a short rest at the top of the tall tree before flying off again. I appreciated that this Gull perched and posed so nicely for me and my camera. Taken outside our room at the Princess McKinley Lodge in Alaska. "Eagles are seagulls with a good hairdo." ~ Douglas Coupland Thank you for your comments and critiques. Have a fine day today my friends. Linda

Making Pretty

January 6, 2016 I really don't know what kind of bird this is, but I "think" it's a peach-colored Cockatoo. It was cleaning it's feathers and I loved the pose that I caught here. I think that he/she is making himself or herself pretty for the camera. Thank you for your comments and critiques. Have a wonderful day today my friends! Linda

It's Good to Be Green

November 22, 2015 Thank you for your comments on yesterday's photo of Case! I'm very appreciative. This lovely bird (sorry I don't know what kind it is) was such an amazing color of green that I couldn't resist taking it's photo. This is best viewed in larger sizes. "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." ~ Marcel Proust Thank you for your comments and critiques. Have a grateful day today my friends! Linda

The Cocky Cockatoo

October 13, 2015 Thank you for your comments on my Alaska Waterfall photo yesterday, they were all very much appreciated. Based on the Title of this photo, let me say "That at least I "think" it's a Cockatoo", but I'm not sure. There weren't any signs to help identify this pretty bird. So, I'm sort of guessing. However, from my Internet research the body and head looks like a Cockatoo, but the beak of this bird and the photos on the Internest don't match. So I'm not sure exactly what he/she is, but likely related to the Cockatoo. What I thought was so fun about him/her is that as people gathered around to admire him/her, he would start swaying gently on the limb as if moving to music that was playing in his head. This photo is best viewed in larger sizes. Thank you for your comments and critiques! Have a great day! Linda

The Magic and Magestic Nature of Water

October 12, 2015 This is just a very tiny portion of an exceptionally tall waterfall that we saw about 30 miles north of Skagway, Alaska. "I love the sounds and the power of pounding water, whether it is the waves or a waterfall." ~ Mike May Thank you for your comments and critiques. Have a fabulous day today my friends! Linda

On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever

October 11, 2015 This wonderful lighthouse was taken several years ago when Bill and I took a whale watching cruise near Victoria, BC. I loved all the lighthouses that we saw along the way. I wish I could recall where we were, or the name of the lighthouse, but I do not. If anyone recognizes it, please let me know. "Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships." ~ Charles Simic Thank you for your comments and critiques! I'm going to be late commenting because this afternoon is our annual car club picnic at our house. We are expecting about 80 people here. Wish us luck. :-) Have a de-lightful day today my friends! Linda Late Post: Thanks to John Murphy he has identified this as Sister's Inlet Lighthouse.

Polly Wants Her Photo Taken

September 14, 2015 I'm not really sure of course whether this is a Polly or a Paul, but whatever the gender may be, one thing for sure though, is this is a lovely bird. Best viewed in larger sizes. "Another thing I like to do is sit back and take in nature. To look at the birds, listen to their singing, go hiking, camping and jogging and running, walking along the beach, playing games and sometimes being alone with the great outdoors. It's very special to me." ~ Larry Wilcox I'm going to be out of town this week on another business trip {Sigh} but I will do my best to browse and comment on your photos. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share critiques. Have a colorful day today my friends. Linda http://lgood.smugmug.com

Polly Wants a Photo?

August 15, 2015 Two parrots at Blodel Conservatory in Vancouver, BC. Have a colorful day today my friends! Linda http://lgood.smugmug.com

Dragonfly

May 7, 2015 Some time ago, I was contacted by a University asking to use some of my photos in a textbook for children with learning disabilities. The book was to be filled with everyday photos of things to help the children learn to recognize the aspects in the world around them. They included plants, flowers, trees, birds, insects, and a lot of other easily recognizable images. They chose three of my photos to use, and I was thrilled. In each they removed the background and isolated the subject. The University then sent the isolated subject photos back to me for approval. This is one of my photos that they chose. I wish I had the skills to do this type of work in Photoshop, but I don't....yet. I'm still hanging on to the dream of taking PS classes when I retire. "And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."~ Abraham Lincoln Thank you for your comments and critiques! Have an inspirational day today my friends! Linda http://www.smugmug.com

A Beautiful - But Unknown Bird

This photo was taken in the Fishlake National Forest of Utah. I believe this is a type of Hawk, but I'm not sure. I would really appreciate help with the identification if anyone knows the species. Thank you for looking and commenting.

2011 - Wind power in West Texas! Notice the big beautiful sky on this hot summer day.

Close up of the face of a Hackberry Emperor butterfly

Speed!!!

September 3, 2012 Happy Labor Day!!!! I hope everyone is doing something fun and relaxing today. As most of you know, I've been off line for about 3 weeks now, and I can say that I've missed browsing all of your shots, but it's been a nice break too. While I was not posting, I was however taking lots of photos. Bill spent 4 days at the Bonneville Salt Flat Speed trials, and I spent about a day there too. Then we drove to Jackson, WY and spent a week exploring the beauty of Wyoming, Idaho, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I haven't spent any time processing the photos yet, but hope to do so in the next several days and weeks. This is one of the racers at Bonneville getting ready for his run on the salt, in his vehicle that was in the 'Streamliner" category. There were several of these "rocket looking" cars on the salt. There was a wide variety of cars and motorcycles there. The salt was blindingly white - it looked like snow. It even caked on the vehicles like snow does. I'll share some of those shots too. It's good to be back, I missed all of you. Have a bright, sunshine-filled holiday today my friends! Linda

Mine!

May 2, 2012 The Seagulls said, "Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine." Then Nigel said, "Oh would you just shut up? You're rats with wings.” ~ Finding Nemo quote Mine, mine, mine............. is what this Seagull seems to be screaming to the other Seagull that had just chased him off one of the outside patio tables at one of the lounges at the Atlantis Resort. This little place was quite and had a wonderful view from the patio of the water park and aquarium and Bill and I had stopped in there late one afternoon for some quite time, relaxation and a cool beverage. Even though the Seagulls, the Pidgeons and the Ring-necked Doves tried to make a nuisance of themselves occasionally, it wasn't enough to make us or the other people leave. Thank you all for you kind and educational comments on my Atlantis fountain shot yesterday. Have a 'red-letter' sort of day today where everyone speaks softly and tells you good things! Linda

A beautiful dragonfly caught from afar.

January 12, 2012 "Tiptoe dancing on the water" The Jungle Gardens at Avery Island were established to try to save the White Egrets. E.A. McIlhenny, or "Mr. Ned" as he was affectionately known, founded a bird colony in the 1890s — later called Bird City — after plume hunters slaughtered egrets by the thousands for feathers to make fashionable ladies' hats. Mr. Ned gathered up eight young egrets, raised them in captivity on the Island, and released them in the fall to migrate across the Gulf of Mexico. The following spring the birds returned to the Island with others of their species - a migration that continues to this day, as thousands of snowy white egrets and other water birds return to Bird City each spring. This vast, protected rookery owes its existence to Mr. Ned. Since it was so cold while we were there, there were very few birds to be seen - I would love to go back when they are all in residence. This isn't the greatest shot, but I liked the way it looked as if the Egret was tip-toeing across the water. I couldn't get very close, and my long lens just wasn't long enough to get great shots, but I was fairly pleased with this one. It just whetted my appetite & makes me want to go back there in the warm weather. Have a super day my friends!! Linda

Cicada, Up Close & Personal

December 3, 2011 This is one ugly bug, but I LIKE the sound they make. This is a Cicada that I found sitting in the bed of an old pickup truck in Oklahoma. According to Wikipedia: Cicadas are a part of the superfamily Cicadoidea, with large eyes wide apart on the head and usually transparent, well-veined wings. There are about 2,500 species of cicada around the world, and many of them remain unclassified. Cicadas live in temperate to tropical climates where they are among the most widely recognized of all insects, mainly due to their large size and unique sound. Cicadas are often colloquially called locusts,[1] although they are unrelated to true locusts, which are a kind of grasshopper. Cicadas are related to leafhoppers and spittlebugs. I like sitting out on the back patio of our house in the evenings and hearing the Cicada songs. Hope you enjoy this & that it's not too much of an 'ick' factor for you. Take care my friends, Linda

November 1, 2011 This looks a little bit like a Fall scene with the colors, but it is actually wild flowers in New Mexico at the height of the drought, so they are looking pretty wimpy. As we were driving up into the hills I snapped this shot from the car, and didn't even realize that the bee was in the shot until I processed it. I rather liked the way it looked. Check it out in X2 to see the detail. Have a great day my friends!!! Linda

September 8, 2011 I had to travel all the way to New Mexico to get another dragonfly shot - LOL. But I was pleased with this one. I chased this little guy all around a roadside park near Hobbs, NM trying to get a shot of him and he wasn't being very cooperative, then just as I thought I had the 'best' shot, Bill stepped into my frame. Oh well. Here's the next best shot. of this dragon. :-)). I did like the flowers that he was buzzing around though. So, here's the best I could do after 30 minutes chasing this guy. I've cropped the shot and enhanced with Topaz Adjust filter. Check it out in the large sizes, I think it's pretty interesting, especially because I'm on dragonfly novice. I appreciate your support and constructive comments. I learn so much from all of you. This community is full of awesome and talented photographers. Have a great day my friends, Linda

August 8, 2011 It's a silly hat Monday! I thought it might be fun to start off the week with something crazy & silly. This is the clown that works the Stockyards in Fort Worth Texas. He makes hundreds of "Longhorn" balloon hats every day. All over the Stockyards, you can see kids and adults wearing them. There's just no way you can keep yourself from smiling when you see one. In this shot, the little fellow that just got his, is walking away from the camera with Mom & Dad, and the clown is looking down at his next tiny customer and had just asked, "What color do you want your longhorns to be?" Best viewed in X2 Hope you enjoy, and hope it brings you a big smile to start off your week!!!! Best, Linda

Hot, Yet Happy Dogs

August 7, 2011 "A Couple of Happy, but Hot Pooches" These guys were so cute, and friendly I couldn't resist taking their photo. But I think you can tell, they were pretty hot while walking around with their owner. Thanks so much for all the comments on the shot of Ashlee feeding the Dolphins, I realy appreciated them all and she was thrilled too!!! Have an awesome Sunday everyone! Linda

Dragonfly!

August 1, 2011 Whoo hoo - I got one!!! After seeing all of the wonderful dragonfly shots, I finally had about 3 seconds to catch this one in our yard. I just love seeing all the shots that the SmugMugers post of these wonderful creatures, so it was a thrill to get this one. I've only been lucky enough to get one other one (or at least a decent picture of one) about a year or so ago, and according to Papamugger, that one was a Damselfly. I'm going to have to defer to Papa to tell us what this one is, as I have no clue. Check it out in X2 - it's pretty cool. I love the way it looks like they have 'helmets' on. Thanks so much to everyone for all that really nice comments on the Chicago at night shot , I was just overwhelmed with the response and really, really appreciated them all very much. I'm posting tomorrow's shot a little early as I'll be on the road - driving this time, so won't have much time to post. I'm hoping to comment tomorrow evening though. Have a great week!!! Linda Follow up: Papamugger says that this is a Checkered Setwing that is found mostly in Texas and Oklahoma (is that a red OU helmet on his head?). Thanks for the information from the Dragonfly King!

Flying High

July 7, 2011 This is the last of the four balloons that were flying in line down the Rio Grande Gorge. Being able to take a hot air balloon ride was one of the things on my "Bucket List" that I'm now able to scratch off the list. But I can tell you that the ride was so much fun, that I'll do it again if I ever get the chance. It's so quiet and peaceful being above the earth early in the morning. It's a very cool experience. I'd highly recommend it to all Smugmuggers. Check out the detail in the larger sizes - processed with Topaz Adjust using the mild detail filter. Thank you all for your comments on yesterday's balloon shot, they are very much appreciated! Best, Linda

Flying the Rio Grande River

July 6, 2011 Here's another shot of the morning ride in the hot air balloons. There were 4 balloons. I took this shot of the two lead balloons from the 3rd balloon that we were in, and there was another balloon behind ours. We are flying down the Rio Grande Gorge and this shot was taken about 7:15 in the morning. As you can see the lighting was a little tough, but I liked the way the river and the bridge are still in early morning shadow as the balloons rode high in the sun that morning. We actually did fly down very close to the water a little bit further down the river, and it was cool to be able to see the rushing water from the air. Check this out in X3 as the details are easier to see in the larger size. Thanks to everyone for your comments on the gas pumps yesterday, they are very much appreciated!! Best, Linda

June 27, 2011 This isn't the greatest, or most interesting shot ever, but the backstory is kind of unusual. I walked out of the workshop and heard this loud "whooshing" sound. I looked around and saw this balloon being inflated in our neighbor's front yard. I watched until it was full then it took off and I snapped this photo as it floated across the field in front of the house. We are off to vacation today headed to New Mexico. Hopefully there will be some new photos week after next. Commenting will be limited, but I promise to catch up when we get back home. Have a wonderful week. Linda

A Sad Loss

May 8, 2011 Sorry that I'm so late posting today, but after the week's worth of wedding festivities, I was late getting back home from Austin. However, it was well worth every minute, and the wedding and reception were both super. Thanks to everyone for your kind comments. This is a photo of a young girl laying on the giant trunk of a huge Oak tree that blew over a couple of weeks ago when we had 80 MPH straight-line winds. How sad to loose this fabulous old tree. It was like loosing an old friend. Best viewed in the larger sizes. This tree is in the Getzendaner Park in Waxahachie, Texas. I'm sure this tree is well over 100 years old. There are many more this size that are thankfully still standing in the park. It's a lovely and wonderful park. I processed this shot with Topaz spicify filter. Check out these other two links to more clearly see the size of this huge old tree - it was a giant. Everyone that sees the loss of this beauty have tears in their eyes. http://lgood.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Landscapes/7752506_RuWLV#1272577281_LPDr5b3 http://lgood.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Landscapes/7752506_RuWLV#1272666203_GND45vr Thanks to everyone for your kind comments this week. I really appreciate them very much. Best, Linda

Emperor

May 7, 2011 - this is an upside-down Hackberry Emperor butterfly that I caught "hanging around" the house the other day. Best viewed in X2. Thanks so much for all the comments this week, I apologize for being less than able to comment back, but I will catch up soon. The wedding went well last night & Misty was of course a gorgeous bride. We were so proud. Tonight is the reception/party for about 300 people, so that should be fun too. Take care my friends, and have a wonderful Saturday! Linda

May 3, 2011 A little break from the car photos today. This is a shot of some Hackberry Emperor Butterflies on some shrubs outside our house. We are just covered with these little butterflies and they love the blooms on this shrub. Papa, help me out with the name of this shrub. These lovely little butterflies are not the only bugs in our yard, we have "June Bugs" everywhere (not sure that's their real name) but they are like little brown, kamokazi bugs that throw themselves violently into the doors & windows of the house. The June Bugs dive into the doors & windows every night for the last 2 nights. They are everywhere & nasty little buggers. I'd like more of these pretty little butterflies please - no more nasty June bugs. Best viewed in X2. PP is Topaz spicify filter - it's fast becoming one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy these pretty little butterflies! Best Regards, Linda

March 11, 2011 More signs of Spring!!! The honey bees are working hard right now. I walked by one of our Bradford Pears and the whole tree was buzzing - litterly buzzing with the noise of these busy little guys at their work. I ran into the house and grabbed the camera, put the macro lens on and snapped a LOT of bee photos. This is my favorite, I hope you enjoy it too. I particularly liked all the details: the iridescent sheen of the wings, the tiny hairs on the body of the bee and the finer points of the flowers are my favorite features of this photo. Best viewed in larger sizes. Thank you all for your wonderful comments on the car shot today. I am so sorry I'm traveling & having long days and late nights so I'm not commenting much. But I'll catch up soon. Have a BEE-U-T-FUL day! Linda

The Beast

Yeeee - ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This guy's sting is powerful. Caught him on the hummingbird feeder. This Texas Yellow Jacket is fierce and scary. Glad I got his shot before he saw me. Hope you enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blessings, Linda

A beautiful pair of ducks lazily swimming in a Missouri river near Spencer Missouri. It was a lovely river and a beautiful area, particularly in the fall of 2010.

Hackberry Emperor butterfly hiding in the wild plums of North Texas, in the early spring.

A flier for sure! A Pro Mod boat racing at Fort Worth, TX, but he didn't beat my brother Marty Logan. Linda

My Brother Marty Logan flying across the waves in his Pro Mod boat!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of him!!!!!!!!!!

The Queen

THE QUEEN!!! (September 26, 2010) She is such a beauty & is poised so delicately on this wildflower in North Texas. Hope all the SmugMuggers enjoy this butterfly pic. Found her while tromping around the woods near our house today. Thanks for all the wonderful comments on the twins "swinging" shot last night. Have a great Sunday evening. I'll be back on the road tomorrow (a 7:20 a.m. flight from Dallas) and not back to Big D until Wednesday, October 6th. But I'm taking my camera to Birmingham, AL and Louisville, KY. I figure the Louisville portion of the trip may give me some opportunities for photographs. I'll try to comment while I'm on the road, but won't be able to post pics. Take care, Best regards, Linda

Flyover!

September 5, 2010 Vintage Flyover. This is a shot from yesterday's Warbirds on Parade show. Bill & I went and took our cars (the '66 Fairlane 427 and the '69 Mach 1 Mustang). But the stars of the show were lots and lots of vintage WWI and WWII and later airplanes & helicopters. The car show was just a minor part of the event (even though there were about 100 classic cars there) The planes stole the show, and we had such a great time looking at them. We took two of the grandboys (age 2 and 4) and they were just beside themselves with excitement over the planes at the airport in Lancaster, TX. It was wonderful day. I saw these planes taking off and thought they were going home (it was late in the afternoon), then I heard them coming back over the airport for a fly over. I had about 6 seconds to throw the camera up, focus & shoot. I'm pretty pleased with the result here. This is best viewed in large or x-large format. Great birthday party today for Chenoa & all of our kids & grandkids. The weather was just perfect for hot dogs & hamburgers on the patio. And then we all lingered over the Oreo Cookie cake & ice cream. Have a happy Labor Day, Linda

A Skipper Buddy.....

September 3, 2010 I don't know what this cute little bug is - but it caught my eye today on the weeds near my house. I loved his big, black eyes. I hope you enjoy too. There's no crop or post editing on this one - just got lucky. Check it out in X2 - it's pretty cool. Have a wonderful evening & a great Labor Day weekend Smug Muggers. We are headed to another car show tomorrow, but this one also includes vintage WWII airplanes - so it should be fun & provide some great photo ops. Sunday is my daughter's 34th birthday, Gee that makes me feel old! LOL - but she's a wonderful daughter, so Mom is so proud. We will have my daughter (Chenoa - American Indian name that means White Dove of Peace). her husband & two girls, Bill's children and grandchildren mid afternoon on Sunday. We'll have a great time grilling hamburgers to celebrate Chenoa's birthday & Labor Day. When Chenoa was a littl girl, she always thought that the big Labor Day Weekend Celebrations - were all about her & her birthday. That made me smile. Many years later, she figured it out & just shares her birthday with the country. :))! Between Bill & I we have 7 grandchildren ranging in age from 16 years old to 4 months old. So Sunday's celebration will be loads of fun - count the parents, grandparents, kids & grandkids - we'll have 15 people for dogs & burgers on Sunday!!! I'm looking so very forward to it. Then on Monday, Bill & I will be taking our cars to another car show in Burleson, TX. So next week - watch for lots of vintage car shots. Love the Smug Mug community & all your fabulous photos. Have a great holiday weekend!! Best, Linda